AN award-winning advocacy service based in Tilbury is getting ready to become fully operational again as the coronavirus regulations are eased.

Tilbury-based One Community Development Trust is a locally grown initiative, created by community and voluntary groups and Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary residents, for the benefit of local people across southern Thurrock in particular.

It works in partnership with agencies and the community to help ensure that local people are able to participate in and gain from available opportunities including work and training.

Its chief executive Yewande Kannike says: "Thanks for bearing with us during the closure of our One Community shop for the last few months due to Covid 19 Government regulations.

"The announcement that Community Centres can open from today for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary activities, and urgent public services comes as a great relief.

"We will be carrying out all necessary risk assessment in consultation with our beneficiaries, partners and funders to ensure that we can adequately support our community with all the guildelines given by the government in place.

"This risk assessment will take place during the rest of June, and July due to the number of people we need to consult, and the potential alterations we need to make to our premises.

"Please also be aware that this does not interfere with the online, email, telephone, text, and social media support we have been giving to those who are on our various projects, including the new people whom we have assisted with job outcomes with DWP, and Amazon Fulfilment centre during the closure of the One Community Shop in Tilbury."

You can find out more about One Community here.